IHA Daily Briefing: March 19

Medicaid and Family Planning Presumptive Eligibility Income Standard Amount Increases
The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services issued a March 18 provider notice announcing that Healthy Start/Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE) and Family Planning Presumptive Eligibility (FPPE) income standard amounts have increased, effective March 1, 2026. This increase is due to updated 2026 Federal Poverty Level statistics. For providers who are completing MPE or FPPE applications in the Application for Benefits Eligibility system, these guidelines have been updated and are automatically applied in calculating the applicant's financial eligibility for MPE or FPPE coverage.

April 22 Webinar: Strategies to Support Healthcare Teams
Healthcare environments are inherently high pressure, fast moving, and emotionally demanding-conditions that can place significant strain on clinicians, staff and leaders alike.

To help you develop strategies and policies to better support your healthcare teams, IHA is offering a complimentary April 22 webinar, "How We Support Each Other: Strategies for Healthcare Leaders and Teams." The session is designed to strengthen the well-being, communication and resilience of healthcare teams.

This webinar will feature Saloumeh DeGood, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Evolve Wellness. The webinar will discuss:

• Evidence-informed support strategies that healthcare leaders can use to reduce team stress and strengthen psychological safety in high-pressure clinical environments.
• Practical, immediately usable approaches for supporting colleagues in ways that improve communication, morale and team functioning.
• How psychological safety, compassionate leadership, and peer support contribute to stronger team communication and collaboration.

Click here to register now for this complimentary webinar from 11 a.m.-noon CT. It is open to all healthcare providers and wellness leaders in your organization. We invite you to share the registration information with your colleagues. Nurse continuing education credit is available for this program.

Please direct questions to [email protected].

CISA Urges Endpoint Management System Hardening After Stryker Cyberattack
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) yesterday issued a cybersecurity alert saying it is aware of malicious cyber activity targeting U.S. organization's endpoint management system, pointing to the March 11 cyberattack against medical technology firm Stryker Corporation. To defend against similar malicious cyber activity, CISA is urging organizations to harden endpoint management system configurations using the recommendations and resources provided in its alert. CISA urged organizations to implement Microsoft's newly released best practices for securing Microsoft Intune, emphasizing the principles of these recommendations can be applied to Intune and more broadly to other endpoint management software.

Register Now: Telementoring on Critical Topics Impacting Healthcare Professionals
Are you seeking practical solutions for challenging cases, up-to-date guidance and peer support? You are invited to join ECHO-Chicago's telementoring programs, structured as a collaborative, case-based learning community designed to empower primary care providers. Click here to view the program flyer.

The program includes:

• An expert-led, interactive series of typically 12 weekly, hour-long Zoom sessions per topic area.

• A focus on real-world cases and peer discussion.

• Assistance navigating current recommendations and hands-on strategies to implement evidence-based practices.

Click here to register. There is no cost to participate. Participants can earn certified CME credits, social work CEUs and nursing contact hours-one for each session attended.

ECHO-Chicago, operated by the University of Chicago, focuses on workforce development to build primary care capacity in communities across Illinois. Its aim is to reduce health disparities and improve access to care by expanding the knowledge and skills of community-based providers.

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

Navajo Manufacturing Company is recommending certain heating pads be removed from where they are used or sold due to certain circumstances that can cause excessive temperatures. The device is unable to detect the higher temperature and does not automatically shut off when hazardous temperatures are reached. As of March 10, Navajo Manufacturing Company has reported four serious injuries and no deaths associated with this issue.

Leading the News

Life after Durbin: A fresh power vacuum will erode Illinois' clout in D.C.

Crain's Chicago Business

Illinois is about to lose an extraordinary amount of seniority and clout in a major wave of retirements among its Congressional delegation, led by Sen. Dick Durbin, one of the longest-serving and highest-ranking members, with 30 years in the U.S. Senate and 14 years in the House of Representatives.

Faith leaders, patients oppose hospital discount drug reform plan

WAND
A group of faith leaders and patients visited the Capitol on Wednesday to demand that state representatives vote against a proposal to expand the 340B drug pricing program.

Prime Healthcare's 2 criteria for acquiring hospitals

Becker's Hospital Review

Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare's CFO said the system saw "real stability and growth" across its markets in 2025 despite challenges stemming from reimbursement and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. While many organizations were considering consolidation to ensure stable and operational efficiencies, Steve Aleman said the system was already positioned to weather the headwinds.